10-10-14 Vol. 36 No. 9

THELEAVEN.COM | VOL. 36, NO. 9 | OCTOBER 10, 2014

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

When tragedy struck her family two years ago, Emily Brady thought she would have to give up her hope of going to a Catholic high school. But the Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund at Bishop Miege High School helped her dream come true.

Marissa Moreno loves the ACT prep program at Bishop Miege and is grateful the Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund made it possible for both her and her brother to go to the school.

Sophomore Claira Creach said her theology classes and time spent in eucharistic adoration at Bishop Miege have helped her grow closer to God. If not for the Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund, she couldn’t have continued her Catholic education.

‘It has changed my life’

Scholarship helps keep Catholic education a reality for students

R

By JILL RAGAR ESFELD

OELAND PARK — “It’s a big relief.” That’s the shared sentiment among Bishop Miege students here, receiving the Good Samaritan Scholarship.

For sophomore Emily Brady however, it’s so much more.

“It has changed my life,” she said. “I’m not going to lie. I would not be OK right now if I hadn’t come to Miege.”

At the end of her seventh-grade year in St. John Paul II School in Overland Park, Emily’s world was rocked by heartache when her father died unexpectedly.

“It was really sudden,” she said. “We went to bed and woke up, and he was gone. He was 41; I was 13 and my brother was 12.”

As she started her eighth-grade year, instead of looking forward to high school, Emily was dreading it.

At a time when she most needed the support of her Catholic community, she was going to lose it.

Without her father’s income, tuition at a Catholic high school was beyond her family’s reach.

FEELING ROYAL

“That summer, I got the Almost Miegian [newsletter],” she recalled. “There was a little box that had information about the Good Samaritan Scholarship.

“I didn’t know if I would qualify or if it would be enough. But it made me happy to think I might be able to do something to help my mom.”

With the scholarship, Emily was able to enroll in Bishop Miege. And because the scholarship is renewable, she is confident she will stay through graduation.

“I still sometimes can’t believe it,” she said. “If I’d gone to public school, I would have lost this close-knit community of people who actually care about me.”

Bridging the gap Community is the driving force behind the Good Samaritan Tuition Fund.

Over the years, the gap in tuition between Catholic grade school and Catholic high school has risen to a point where it is insurmountable for some families.

Miege administrators, however, committed themselves to making sure no students were left out of the Bishop Miege community because of that gap. >> See “I WOULDN’T” on page 6

It was 29 years between Kansas City Royals playoff wins, but priests from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas are back on the Royals bandwagon. Read how Fathers Shawn Tunink, Scott Wallisch and Mark Goldasich have celebrated the Royals’ wild playoff ride. Page 16

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The Good Samaritan Scholarship The scholarship is established for Johnson County parish families who want to continue Catholic education through high school at Bishop Miege in Roeland Park, but are challenged because of the increase in tuition costs from grade school to high school to the point that it is a limiting factor in attending Miege because of: • Family circumstances • Looking at more than one child in high school in the future • May not qualify for regular financial assistance • Regular financial assistance may not be enough.

The scholarship is awarded based on academic effort and performance, record of good citizenship, and service to the church and community. It is up to $2,500 per year, renewable through graduation, based on continued eligibility.

For more information on applying for or donating to the Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund, visit the website at: www.bishopmiege.com and click on Admissions – Financial Aid. Or contact Patti Marnett at (913) 262-2701, ext. 226.

MISSION SUNDAY

On the weekend of Oct. 18-19, the archdiocese will take up a special collection to benefit the missions. These missions have helped spread the Gospel and sustained struggling churches throughout the world. See how the church in Mongolia has benefited from your contributions. Pages 8-9

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2 ARCHBISHOP

THELEAVEN.COM | OCTOBER 10, 2014

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

Even on our worst days, God is showering us with blessings

O

n Oct. 10, the date for publication of this column, I will be in Fatima, Portugal, on the first leg of our archdiocesan Marian pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage will also take us to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, revered as the burial site of the apostle St. James the Greater and a popular pilgrim destination since the ninth century.

From Spain, we will travel to Lourdes, the most popular Marian shrine in the world.

We will conclude our pilgrimage in Rome.

This archdiocesan Marian pilgrimage is part of the 25th anniversary celebration for the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas. When the foundation’s leaders proposed a pilgrimage to observe its silver anniversary, I suggested that we make a Marian pilgrimage, since Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception is the principal patron of the archdiocese.

From the very earliest times, Catholics believed that God had specially prepared Mary to be the mother of Jesus. In 1854, Pope Pius IX formally declared the dogma of Mary’s immaculate conception, which essentially acknowledged that Mary was given the gift (freedom from the effects of original sin) at her conception that we received at the time of our baptism.

Mary appeared to Ber-

ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN nadette at Lourdes in 1858.

Initially, Mary did not reveal her identity to Bernadette.

Finally, Mary identified herself as the Immaculate Conception. Bernadette was a poor, peasant girl who was not well-catechized in the faith. Bernadette had never heard of the Immaculate Conception and had no idea what the title meant.

Bernadette struggled to memorize precisely what the beautiful lady had said in order to be able to repeat it to her pastor, Father Dominique Peyramale. Father Peyramale had been preparing Bernadette for first Communion.

He knew that this title was beyond Bernadette’s religious vocabulary. He became immediately convinced of the authenticity of the apparitions.

It was in this same time period — the 1850s — that the foundation for what would become the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas was being laid by Bishop Jean Baptiste Miege. He had been appointed the bishop for the Vicariate Apostolic of the Indian Territory east of the Rocky Mountains. Eventually, in the 1880s, the Diocese of Leavenworth would be established, which would become, in the mid-20th century, the Archdiocese of

Kansas City in Kansas.

While in Fatima, I along with our 90-plus pilgrims will consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary. I am urging everyone in the archdiocese to make this same Marian consecration on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8.

Integral to the consecration are 33 days of prayerful preparation. In your parishes, you should receive the opportunity to acquire, either in book or pamphlet form, “Thirty-Three Days to Morning Glory” by Father Michael Gaitley. You can also purchase this book at any of our fine Catholic bookstores.

Father Gaitley provides an explanation of the history and the rationale for Marian consecration. He also gives 33 short daily meditations based on the writings and insights of St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa, and Pope St. John Paul II. Actually, in Fatima I will be re-consecrating myself to Jesus through Mary for the third time. I will re-consecrate myself again on Dec. 8.

For those who have already made a Marian consecration, I encourage you to do so again. Each time I make the consecration, I receive new insights and blessings.

One of the special graces for me this time came from one of the meditations based on Mother Teresa’s writings.

Father Gaitley observes how easy it is to ignore the many blessings that surround us every day and to focus upon “daily annoyances, burdens, difficulties, and inconveniences.” I suffer from this tendency.

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Despite the many hardships of her ministry and being surrounded by the misery of the sick and the dying, Mother Teresa radiated a beautiful joy. After her death, with the publication of her letters to her spiritual directors, we know that for many years, Mother Teresa experienced an incredible spiritual darkness.

Still, she was joyful. There was nothing phony about her joy. She was not putting on a happy face for others. There was no mistaking Mother Teresa’s authenticity and genuineness. How was this possible?

Father Gaitley believes it was because Mother Teresa strove to follow the example of Mary. In the second chapter of his Gospel, Luke twice tells us that Mary pondered in her heart the good things that God was doing in her life. Mother Teresa daily pondered the amazing things that God was doing in her life.

One of the tools that Mother Teresa used to ponder God’s activity in her daily life was something she borrowed from St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. St. Ignatius was a great proponent of making an examination of conscience at the end of each day.

Usually when we hear the phrase “examination of conscience,” we think about recalling our sins. While this is part of the daily examen, St. Ignatius insisted that it was essential to first ponder the blessings of the day — all the ways in which God revealed his love for us in the events and the people we encountered during the day.

CALENDAR ARCHBISHOP

NAUMANN Oct. 7-17 Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas Marian Pilgrimage Oct. 19 Christ’s Peace House of Prayer Mass of thanksgiving — Savior Pastoral Center Project Andrew — Sacred Heart, Shawnee

ARCHBISHOP

KELEHER Oct. 12 Mass — Federal prison

It is so much better to end the day recalling God’s blessings, instead of depressing ourselves by watching the news, stewing over the problems of our own day and/or eating comfort food.

In reality, even on our worst days, God is showering us with many graces and blessings!

End your day like Mary, pondering in your heart all that God did that day in your life, and I guarantee you will sleep better and wake up happier.

Follow the example and the wisdom of Blessed Mother Teresa for several weeks and you may have people asking you for the secret for your joy.

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SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

OCTOBER 10, 2014 | THELEAVEN.COM

‘Wisdom of the Ages’

Exhibit offers unique opportunity to experience history

By Steve Johnson Special to The Leaven

A

TCHISON — If you went to see the Gutenberg Bible, the Magna Carta, or the Declaration of Independence in a museum, you would view them behind glass in a specially designed exhibit.

Now, imagine that the display cases are open and you can actually pick up an 800-year-old handwritten Bible, feel the parchment and turn the pages. And the price of admission is nothing more than a drive to Atchison.

The spectacular “Wisdom of the Ages” exhibition at Benedictine College provides just such an opportunity.

Included in the collection are a page from one of the first finished copies of the Gutenberg Bible from 1455, a copy of the Magna Carta from 1576, a handwritten manuscript of the works of Thomas Aquinas from 1475, the first public printing of the Emancipation Proclamation from The New York Times in 1862, and a first edition of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” from early 1776.

These and 35 other precious documents will be on display inside the Laughlin Rotunda in the Ferrell Academic Center on Benedictine’s campus from Oct. 13 - 19 and again from Nov. 8 – 14.

The exhibit is free and open to the public from 4 – 8 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Sundays.

“It is exciting to have materials of this caliber on our campus,” said Benedictine College president Stephen D. Minnis. “This exhibit includes 40 key documents expressing ideas that truly shaped the world.”

Nicholas Callaghan, a sophomore at Benedictine College, put it in perspective from the standpoint of the liberal arts focus of the college.

“How often do people get to touch a copy of the Magna Carta or a Vulgate Bible from centuries ago?” he asked. “For a liberal arts college like Benedictine, this collection represents everything we stand for. It brings us back to our roots, putting us in touch, quite literally, with many of the documents we study over the course of our four years at Benedictine.”

The exhibit was made possible by a donation from the Haverty Family Foundation and support from the Benedictine College Honors Program. It is comprised of documents and manuscripts from The Remnant Trust, Inc. The collection encompasses four major strands of intellectual history: 1. The Two Wings of the Human Spirit: Faith and Reason in Dialogue through the Ages This includes items like a 1553 letter from Martin Luther regarding the Reformation, the Decrees of the Council of Trent from 1670, an illustrated manuscript Bible from 1225, and a handwritten paper in Persian from 1250.

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799) President: Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

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PHOTO BY RICH BENNETT

Benedictine senior and exhibit docent Claire Willms views some of the unique items at the Atchison college’s “Wisdom of the Ages” exhibition. Items will be on display inside the Laughlin Rotunda in the Ferrell Academic Center on Benedictine’s campus from Oct. 13 - 19 and again from Nov. 8 – 14.

2. Unlocking the Mysteries of Nature: The Emergence of a Scientific Worldview Because the printing press helped spread the scientific revolution, this grouping includes a page from the first printing of the Gutenberg Bible from 1455. It also holds a first edition of Nicolaus Copernicus’ “On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres” from 1617, a rare issue of Galileo’s proof of the Copernican system from 1710, and a printing of Isaac Newton’s theories from 1714.

3. An Experiment in Liberty: America and the Heritage of the West An exciting collection of early American documents, this section includes one of the rarest printings of the Declaration of Independence in a journal from 1778; a first edition of “Common Sense,” the famous political pamphlet by Thomas Paine, from 1776; and the journal of the Acts of the First Congress of the United States from 1789, which established the Bill of Rights and officially ratified the Constitution and the election of George Washington as the first president.

4. The Glorious Liberty of the Children of God: Human Rights in the Western Tradition Tracing the development of individual rights, this section includes a first edition of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” from 1852; a first printing of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation from The New York Times in 1862; and a 1576 printing of the landmark Magna Carta.

“As a secondary education and social science major, this is a fantastic oppor-

tunity for me,” said Benedictine senior Claire Willms. “Now I can see — and touch — books I have read in classes for years. The opportunity to have these documents here and to share them with others has reminded me why I love history so much, and why I want to teach.”

Willms has been trained as a docent for the exhibit, which has given her an even closer connection to the items on display.

“My favorite section of the collection here at BC is the Faith and Reason case, Two Wings of the Human Spirit,” she said. “There is so much depth in that one case: six languages, works that span hundreds of years of world history from different faiths (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) and genres from Greek tragedy to theology.”

Another student docent, Tia Westhoff, said she felt the page from the Guttenberg Bible was probably the most significant piece in the exhibit because of the importance of the printing press in the spread of knowledge. But her favorite section was also Two Wings of the Human Spirit.

“These documents of theology and philosophy formed the development of the West as we know it by simultaneously reaching the mind and the heart,” she said.

Westhoff has the interesting perspective of having been around the major museums of the Smithsonian Institution over the summer.

“I worked in D.C. this past summer and there was no way anyone there was going to let you within six feet of a rare

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A centuries-old Vulgate Bible is one of the many historical items on display. document,” she said. “Here we get to turn the pages and read for ourselves.”

As a docent, Westhoff has been pleased to see the tremendous reaction to the exhibit.

“The reaction to the exhibit has been priceless,” she said. “Students, faculty, members of the community, parents, supporters of the college, and strangers have been flocking to the documents to learn something new. There is no price tag you can put on this kind of enthusiasm for knowledge.”

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $18/year.

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4 LOCAL NEWS

THELEAVEN.COM | OCTOBER 10, 2014

Adorers celebrate 25 years at Holy Trinity in Lenexa

By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill@theleaven.com

L

ENEXA — Holy Trinity parishioner Anita Mockry was on a trip to the Holy Land more than 25 years ago when a fellow traveler gave her some literature on perpetual adoration.

It was a popular topic at the time.

Many parishes, following the request of Pope John Paul II, had established perpetual adoration chapels.

“I just started reading it over in the airport,” recalled Mockry. “And it just really moved me.

“And I thought, ‘Wow I’ve got to talk to Father Ray about this.’”

Not only did Mockry talk to former pastor Msgr. Ray Burger, but, with his encouragement, she spearheaded the campaign to begin perpetual adoration at Holy Trinity.

In 1989, an old stone chapel that once served as the church became the adoration chapel. Ella Hofer, one of the parish’s oldest members, signed up for the first hour of adoration.

Over the next 25 years, the number of participants grew, as did the hours the chapel was open. Eventually, it was moved from the old chapel to a cry room in the new church building to its current home — a dedicated chapel at the heart of the Holy Trinity campus.

To celebrate a quarter century of perpetual adoration, parishioners returned to the old stone chapel where it all began for Benediction and an hour of adoration led by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

“It was everything I hoped it would be,” said Kathy Sexton, who helped organize the event. “We had a nice turnout and a beautiful day. And we were really blessed to have the archbishop.”

“I hope it gives you great joy to realize how many people have benefited from your work,” the archbishop said to those involved in the ministry.

Holy Trinity’s adoration chapel is a quiet oasis where all are welcome to come and spend time with the exposed Blessed Sacrament.

The interior is surrounded by stainedglass windows depicting the corporal works of mercy. Just outside is a meditative garden.

The chapel seats up to 40 and is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mockry was in charge of the ministry for the first 10 years and then turned it over to Katie Schroeder, who said, “I nev-

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LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa celebrate 25 years of adoration on Sept. 14 by returning to the old stone chapel where it all began. er considered it a job. It was a privilege.”

Currently, Sexton and Eileen Daly share the responsibility of organizing the 336 individuals needed to make sure two adorers are with the Eucharist at all times.

Like Schroeder, they are happy to promote a ministry they know benefits fellow Catholics and their parish.

“For me personally,” said Sexton, “it has helped relieve a lot of anxiety and stress just in the normal transitions of life.

“Getting my children through the teenage and college years, when my parents passed away — I just went to [eucharistic] adoration and found great solace. There, you have the ultimate listener and counselor.”

Daly agreed.

“In our busy society,” she said, “it may be hard for people to imagine just sitting quietly with Jesus for an hour.

“But I look back over the years and I feel like my spiritual life really evolved in the adoration chapel.

“And it continues to.”

The archbishop talked about the benefits of eucharistic adoration to individ-

uals, their parish and the church as a whole.

“Adoration is linked to vocations in the priesthood,” he said.

Indeed, Holy Trinity has had several young people discern vocations in adoration, and the parish has reaped many other benefits.

“The first effects were an increase in [morning] Mass attendance and confessions,” said Mockry. “And then more people just started getting involved in the church.”

At the anniversary event, Archbishop Naumann spoke about the early church and the many Christians who risked their lives to share the Eucharist.

“Sometimes, I think we can take for granted the great gift of our faith and our freedom to practice it,” he said.

He encouraged Catholics to take advantage of the gift of perpetual adoration.

“It’s here that we can listen to the Lord and let him speak to our hearts,” he said. “It’s a time for us to come and unburden ourselves.

“But mostly, it’s a time to adore God and thank him.”

Perpetual adoration at Holy Trinity Perpetual adoration is a practice of exposing the Eucharist in a chapel for 24 continuous hours of adoration. Parishioners take turns in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament during the day and throughout the night, seven days a week.

Each volunteer spends one or more scheduled hours each week in the perpetual adoration chapel.

The purpose of the Holy Hour is to encourage a deep personal encounter with Christ. Adorers may read, pray or simply spend quiet time reflecting in the presence of the Lord.

The Holy Trinity Adoration Chapel is open daily to the public from 7 a.m. to 7p.m. for visits of any length.

Volunteer opportunities for adoration hours are also available.

For more information, contact Eileen Daly at (913) 492-4211 or by email at: daly@everestkc.net.

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LOCAL NEWS 5

OCTOBER 10, 2014 | THELEAVEN.COM

Marysville launches Catholic-sponsored Trail Life USA troop

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

M

ARYSVILLE — There are plenty of those who choose to follow the beaten path.

But there are others, like Buster Schmitz, who choose to blaze a new trail. The member of St. Gregory Parish in Marysville chose to become part of Trail Life USA, a rapidly growing Christian adventure, character and leadership program for young men.

His unit, TLUSA KS-0007, is notable for two firsts: It was the first Trail Life USA troop formed in Kansas, and it is the first (and so far only) Catholicsponsored TLUSA troop in the state.

Trail Life USA was born out of the membership policy controversy that roiled the Boy Scouts of America in 2013. Proposed changes troubled many within the BSA community, including Schmitz, who had joined the Marysville BSA Troop 180 in 2003 and became a Scoutmaster in 2004. His oldest son, Jacob, had become an Eagle Scout.

When Schmitz learned that an alternative to the BSA was being formed, he attended the new organization’s inaugural convention in Nashville, Tennessee, in September 2013.

He liked what he saw — especially the new organization’s explicit interdenominational Christian character.

Schmitz, five assistant Scoutmasters, the troop treasurer and six boys from the Marysville BSA troop opted to blaze the new TLUSA trail.

They secured sponsorship from the St. Gregory Parish Knights of Columbus Council 1777 and launched the troop this past Jan. 1. They also helped found a sibling unit, American Heritage Girls Troop KS-0007.

All members of TLUSA are called “trailmen,” but participate in four program categories defined by age — Woodland Trail: grades K-5, Navigators: grades 6 to 8, Adventurers: grades 9 to 12, and Guidon: ages 18 to 25. Each program category has different ranks.

Although the Marysville troop is Catholic-sponsored, all boys are welcome to become members regardless of religion, race, national origin or socioeconomic status.

Adult members must sign a statement of Christian faith that is Trinitarian in nature. Although Schmitz (the troop master) and Tyler Lyhane (Woodlands trail guide) are Catholic, Kevin Throm (Woodlands ranger) and

The Leaven 10-10-14.indd 5

Able Trailmen rank Trent Staggenborg (left) and Braeton Faulkner, who is a member of St. Gregory Parish in Marysville, build a 60-foot bridge at Alcove Springs over the July 4th weekend. The project was part of Tristan Schmitz’s Freedom Award project, which is equivalent to an Eagle Scout project.

Allen Perry (Woodlands trail guide) belong to the Berean Church.

Schmitz’s son Tristan aged out in August after earning his Freedom Award and is applying to become an adult leader. His son Samuel is in the Woodland Trail program.

The Marysville TLUSA troop has been busy, accumulating 25 nights of camping in nine months, excluding a two-week high adventure trip to Woodland Caribou Provincial Park in Canada. Four youths and two leaders went to Canada.

The troop holds meetings every Wednesday and conducts monthly campouts. They plan a Fall Rendezvous Oct. 17-19 at Alcove Springs, and troops from Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri will participate.

The troop has also done community service projects including a food drive, community recycling, storm cleanup and construction of a 60-foot fishing bridge.

Additionally, the boys can work on rank advancement, learn skills and earn proficiency badges.

When Schmitz and others first formed the troop, they hoped to have

12 members. Nine months later, there are 50 youth members, and it doesn’t look like the growth will stop. Clearly, people want a youth adventure program with a stronger faith focus.

“We have opening and closing prayer,” said Schmitz. “Trail Life USA is in the process of creating religious awards. The Catholic versions are not yet fully developed.”

Marysville’s KS-0007 will soon launch two programs. One is Band of Brothers, a peer accountability program for high school-level trailmen that incorporates Bible study and mentoring. The other is Manhood Journey, a biblically based father-son mentoring/discipleship program for grades 6 to 8.

Schmitz believes TLUSA troops will be formed in other communities.

“We’ve got people coming from four different communities 10 miles or farther from Marysville,” said Schmitz.

“We’ll probably continue to grow. But if we keep picking up boys from different towns around us, some will get enough [members] to branch off and start their own troops.”

TRAIL LIFE USA AT A GLANCE • Program rolled out: January 2014 • Home office: Orlando, Florida • Presence: 47 states • Units nationally: 718 (460 chartered, 258 pending) • Kansas units: 12 (10 chartered, 2 pending) • Program categories: • Woodlands Trail: Grades K-5 • Navigators: Grades 6-8 • Adventurers: Grades 9-12 • Guidon: Ages 18-25 years • Website: www.traillifeusa.com • Contact: Call (321) 247-7761, or email: Contact@traillifeusa.com • Area contacts: • Robert McAnerney, Marysville, robertmcan@gmail.com • D.J. Hall, Paola, dj.hall@ranger dj.com • Vince Payne, Kansas City, Mo., tlusakcapm@gmail.com • National Catholic Committee for Trail Life USA at: www.catholictrail. com

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6 LOCAL NEWS

THELEAVEN.COM | OCTOBER 10, 2014

‘I wouldn’t trade those four years for anything’ >> Continued from page 1 “The mission of Miege is to serve all our Catholic students, not just those of means,” said Bishop Miege president Dr. Joseph Passantino.

“When you see families who invest in their child’s education and formation through eighth grade,” he continued, “you know they have a preference for Catholic education.

“If there were no difference in tuition, they’d send them right on to high school.”

The first Good Samaritan Scholarship was awarded in 2008 to Mary Ballentine, an eighth-grader at St. Joseph School in Shawnee.

Knowing her family couldn’t afford Catholic high school, Mary had already accepted her future in public school — until she went for a visit to Bishop Miege.

“I was dead set on going to Shawnee Mission Northwest,” she said. “But I walked into Miege on Eighth-Grade Day, and I felt like I belonged there.”

At the height of the economic downturn, Mary’s father had lost his job.

“So, financially, I knew it would be a struggle,” she said. “My mom said, ‘Find a way to pay for it and you can go there.’

“So I went up and talked to Dr. Passantino.”

Mary is now a college student grateful for her Catholic high school experience.

“I wouldn’t trade those four years for anything,” she said. “I really appreciate the people who donated toward the scholarship.

“They didn’t even know me, and they still wanted to send me to Miege.”

The Leaven 10-10-14.indd 6

Where there’s a will, there’s a way Currently, there are 113 Good Samaritan Scholarship recipients enrolled at Bishop Miege.

“We hope to grow that,” said Passantino. “Our goal is to serve 50 to 75 incoming freshman every year.”

The number isn’t arbitrary — last year, 75 students graduating from a Johnson County Catholic elementary school didn’t go on to a Catholic high school.

Ironically, many of them come from large families that have historically been the backbone of the Catholic community.

“Just do the math,” said Passantino.

“The tuition is insurmountable for so many big families.

“And Catholic education was established to serve those families.”

St. Ann, Prairie Village, parishioner Jodi Gittemeier understands. She’s the mother of six children in Catholic school.

“You have this sense of guilt if you don’t send your kids on to Catholic high school,” she said. “But you feel trapped.

“You’re trying to procreate like what we’re told to believe, and then you’re penalized for not being able to afford them.”

Last year, Gittemeier’s oldest daughter, Mary Jane, took the Bishop Miege entrance exam and got a perfect score.

That qualified her for an academic scholarship, but it wasn’t enough.

“My husband has a good income,” said Gittemeier. “So we couldn’t qualify for financial aid — but when you’ve got six kids’ expenses!”

So the family enrolled Mary Jane in Shawnee Mission East.

“It was breaking my heart,” said Gittemeier. “And then she got the Good Samaritan Scholarship, which made going to Bishop Miege possible.”

Gittemeier now has hope that all her children will be able to attend Bishop Miege.

And she has another plan for further in the future.

“My husband and I have talked about this,” she said. “We look forward to the day when our kids are older and we can give back to Miege.”

The Catholic school advantage Sophomore Marissa Moreno knew about the Good Samaritan Scholarship because her brother had received one.

With an older sister in college and a brother headed there, her parents’ finances were stretched.

But the scholarship made it possible for her to attend Bishop Miege.

“My parents needed help,” she said.

“We couldn’t do it on our own.”

Marissa believes the Bishop Miege college readiness program will make her a better candidate for college scholarships.

“I feel like I’m so much more challenged at Miege than my friends who go to public school,” she said. “I’m so much better prepared because we have ACT Prep classes.

“They actually help you here, so you’re not afraid to take the test.”

Gittemeier agreed.

“The ACT Prep is the best thing ever,” she said. “The fact that they offer that is genius!”

Marissa’s classmate and fellow recipient Claira Creach, whose family circumstances also qualified her for help, sees being part of a faith community as a huge advantage.

“If I were at public school,” she said, “I feel like I wouldn’t pray as much as I do now, or get closer to God. “The theology classes help and [eucharistic] adoration every once in a while here helps a lot.”

Emily, likewise, felt the support of her faith community was more important than ever after losing her father.

“When the people around you believe in the things you believe,” she said, “it really helps you.

“If I went to public school, I’d still be Catholic. I’d still go to church. But I think it would be a lot harder to keep my morals and values.”

“We’re helping our kids stay connected to their faith,” said Passantino. “And preparing them for the challenges they’re going to face when they go to college.

“That’s why being in Catholic high school is so important.”

Important, too, is the belief of Bishop Miege students that they have the power — through faith — to change the world.

I have friends at public school who think they don’t make a difference,” said Emily. “And here they teach you that you’re the pinnacle of God’s creation.

“You can do anything and help anybody.”

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LOCAL NEWS 7

OCTOBER 10, 2014 | THELEAVEN.COM Ron

and

Maryann

(Sieckhaus) Luchtefeld, members of St. Ann Parish, Prairie Village, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 10. This past summer, they celebrated with a family trip to San Diego and will have a dinner on Oct. 10 with family and friends. The couple was married at St. Joan of Arc Church, St. Louis. Their children and their spouses are: David and Beth Luchtefeld, and Jeff and Cindie Luchtefeld, both of Overland Park; and Kristen and Clayton Headley of Lafayette, California. They also have nine grandchildren.

Lois Ann (Hill) and William J. Stephan, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Oct. 18 with a Mass at 4:30 p.m. and a dinner celebration afterwards at Tomahawk Hills Golf Course clubhouse. The couple was married on Oct. 18, 1954, at St. Patrick Church, Walnut. Their children and their spouses are: Kristine and Todd Reynolds; Doug and Sally Stephan; Margaret and Mark Denning; Tony (deceased) and Mary Stephan-Stanley; Karen and Todd Stephens; Janice and Chris Breit; Kathleen and Jerome Sasenick; and Craig and Kathy Stephan. They also have 21 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

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Howard and Louise Deiter, members of Immaculate Conception Parish, St. Marys, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Oct. 12 with an 11 a.m.

Mass of thanksgiving followed by a luncheon for family and guests, hosted by their children. The couple was married on Oct. 9, 1954, at Sacred Heart Church, Delia, by Father Michael McManus. Their children and their spouses are: Steve (deceased) and Elizabeth Ensley Deiter, Sabetha; Tim Deiter, Maple Hill; Julie and Chuck Ross, Silver Lake; Shelley and Mike Kruger, Silver Lake; and Greg and Rachel Deiter, Maple Hill. They also have 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Iris (Stueve) and Gerald F. Holthaus, members of Christ the King Parish, Topeka, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a cruise in February. They also will have a family dinner on Oct. 11.

The couple was married on Oct. 10, 1964, at St. Michael Church, Axtell. Their children and their spouses are: Stephanie and Francis Hulsing, Baileyville; Anissa and Corey Bloom, Wetmore; Chantel and Ron Heinen, Goff; and Shana and David Steinlage, Centralia. They also have 15 grandchildren (one deceased).

Larry and Donna (Skoch) Beer, members of Divine Mercy Parish, Gardner, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 19 with a open house for family and friends. The couple was married on Oct. 17, 1964, at St. Augustine Church, Fidelity. Their children and their spouses are: Cheryl and Rich Boomsma, Olathe; and Brad Beer (deceased). They also have three grandchildren.

ANNIVERSARY POLICY

• The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th notices.

• Announcements are due eight days before the desired publication date.

• Announcements must be typed.

• They are for parishioners of Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, or for those who have resided in the archdiocese for a significant period of time.

Include the following Information: • The couple’s names • their parish • the date they were married • church and city where they were married • what they are doing to celebrate • date of the celebration • names of children (if desired) • number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an email to: Todd@theleaven. com.

6/19/15 2:21 PM

STORIES FROM TH

A

fter decades of struggling in a communist ruled country, with no religious freedom, it was just a little more than 20 years ago that the people of Mongolia had the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

“The Church is called to transmit the joy of the Lord to her children,” Pope Francis reminds us. And doing that — true to his faith and the mission in the Church — is Bishop Wenceslao (Wens) Padilla, a missionary priest and now the first Bishop of Mongolia. He and two missionary priests arrived in Mongolia in 1992, to build the Catholic Church, and to serve the poor of this Asian nation.

By proclaiming and sharing their faith through

MEET BISHOP WENS PADILLA...

“Jesus said to Saint Peter, ‘Upon this rock, I will build my Church.’ And I’m thinking that is also addressed to me when I came to Mongolia.”

— Bishop Wens, Mongolia

J

ust over 20 years ago, Bishop Wenceslao (Wens) Padilla, a missionary priest from the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (known in the United States as Missionhurst), and now the first Bishop of Mongolia, arrived in Mongolia with two fellow priests. He recalls finding a country struggling with issues like alcoholism and domestic abuse, with minimal government social services, and with extreme poverty. He found a people searching — “for God and for holiness.”

Local catechists were formed in the faith, and now assist Bishop Wens in sharing the Good News of the Gospel — helping the Mongolian people connect with the Catholic faith in a way that is relevant and meaningful to their own culture.

Bishop Wens was literally starting from zero — no Catholics in Mongolia when he and his fellow missionaries arrived. The first Baptisms, as a group, took place after three

MEET GANTULGA...

“There is a positive influence of the Church here in this whole community. Their lives have been changing for the better. And you can feel that there is a change. There is more joy and happiness around us. Thanks to the spiritual and practical outreach of faithful missionaries, every year, more and more Mongolians hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, and accept Jesus in their lives.”

— Gantulga, husband and father, baptized into the Church in Mongolia, Easter 2013

G

antulga’s family is just one Mongolian family whose lives have been dramatically transformed after hearing the Good News of Jesus and accepting Him into their hearts. Gantulga and his family, including his wife Uurtsaikh and their children, live in the rural town of Arvaiheer, about 300 miles from Mongolia’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar.

The family first learned about the Catholic Church when they moved to the town after tragically losing all their livestock almost 10 years ago. They were one of a few lucky families to be given a new ger, a traditional Mongolian round tent dwelling. While Uurtsaikh and the children started attending activities run by the local Catholic Church, Gantulga was haunted by his alcoholism and his destructive behavior. “Before in my life, I made a lot of mistakes and I was

WHAT YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TOWARDS

The Leaven 10-10-14.indd 8

9,000

clinics caring for the sick and dying

6/19/15 2:21 PM

Archbishop urges solidarity with the mission church

OM THE MISSIONS

0

he sick

spiritual and practical outreach, including education, medical care and vocational skill training programs, the first missionaries slowly built the Mongolian Catholic Church in a country where, for generations, there was no proclamation of the Gospel.

Sadly, countless communities in Mongolia and across the world are still to hear the Good News.

With no local priests or Sisters, nor any local income to sustain the outreach, our mission family in these areas needs our help. This year, your generosity on World Mission Sunday will reach the Church in Mongolia and remote churches across the globe, where the poor receive practical help and experience God’s love and mercy, His hope and peace.

years of their presence. In that group of 13 was Bishop Wens’ secretary.

“But before that, there was a family, a Christian family from the United States, who adopted a Mongolian child and they wanted the child to be baptized,” Bishop Wens recalls.

“They named their child Cholon, which is ‘stone’ in the Mongolian language. And so I gave the name Peter to that child, our first Baptism.”

From that first group, the number of Catholics has continued to grow across Mongolia, with the total today numbering around 850.

Each Easter, on average, 20 to 50 join the Church. Bishop Wens remains as committed today as on that first day, to reach out and offer practical and spiritual support to those in need — and to continue to build the Church.

He says, “Reach out... It summarizes everything that I want to do as a priest, as a bishop, and as a Christian—to reach out to others. And Pope Francis is very strong on this, ‘Go out, go there and do something for the people especially the poor’. . . Because that’s what I wanted to do, reaching out to people, to the poor.”

addicted to alcohol and I had problems with violence, not understanding, misunderstandings with other people,” he explains. “When I started going to church and feeling how God’s mercy reaches me, I felt that I had to receive Baptism.”

“Sometimes I try to imagine what would have been my life without faith,” Gantulga continues. “And then frankly I do not find an answer because most probably I would have been pulled by the river of my old life into something bad. I don’t know really what would have been my life without Christ.”

Gantulga received Baptism at Easter 2013, but even before that — when he started coming to church with Uurtsaikh and their children — he saw drastic changes in his life. Today Gantulga is not only a better father and husband, he has also emerged as a leader in the community, reaching out to others in need.

In 2012, when the Mongolian Catholic Church celebrated its 20th anniversary, a milestone which was marked by Catholics all across the country, it was Gantulga’s celebration song — “Jesus Christ Has Saved Us” — that was chosen as the official hymn. Now it is sung every week at Gantulga’s church. The words proclaim how Gantulga and his family themselves were saved by Jesus Christ.

10,000

orphanages, providing a place of safety and shelter

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Special collection to be taken on the weekend of Oct. 18-19

M

y dear brothers and sisters in Christ, “Today, vast numbers of people still do not know Jesus Christ.” Pope Francis begins his message for this year’s celebration of World Mission Sunday with these words.

But he quickly offers us the way to make a joy-filled, life-giving difference in this regard.

“World Mission Sunday is a privileged moment when the faithful of various continents engage in prayer and concrete gestures of solidarity in support of the young churches in mission lands.”

On Oct. 19, as our archdiocesan family celebrates this “privileged moment,” let us join our brothers and sisters around the world who will gather at the Lord’s table to celebrate, with great joy, our common vocation as missionaries.

Our prayers and concrete gestures of solidarity will help build local churches, like the church in Mongolia — the world’s youngest Catholic Church — and churches across the globe. Through the work of these churches and their witness to Christ, the poor, who are sometimes persecuted for their faith in Christ, receive practical help and experience God’s love and mercy, his hope and peace.

In his message for World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis further reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver, and that this annual celebration is a moment to rekindle the desire and sense of obligation to take a joyful part in the missionary activity of the church. Your financial help on World Mission Sunday, offered in the collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, will support the 1,150 mission dioceses and commu-

nities who await the “good news” of Jesus as their saving hope.

Pope Francis encourages us to take joyful part in the church’s mission to all the nations, as we live our lives grounded in love for Jesus and concern for the needs of the most disadvantaged. May World Mission Sunday offer each one of us an opportunity to accomplish both, as we share the joy of the Gospel and help the poor by our fervent prayer and through generous hearts!

I thank you for your participation in the missionary work of the church, particularly by your support of the Propagation of the Faith. May God bless us all and awaken in us all the missionary spirit that shines so brightly and invitingly in the ministry of our beloved Pope Francis!

Sincerely yours in Jesus, the Lord of Life,

+ Joseph F. Naumann Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas

“

World Mission Sunday is an occasion to rekindle the desire and the moral obligation to take joyful part in the mission ad gentes. A monetary contribution on the part of individuals is the sign of a self-offering, first to the Lord and then to others; in this way a material offering can become a means for the evangelization of humanity built on love.”

Pope Francis

THE STORIES OF SOKO AND OLDOH

S

oko and Oldoh live in a special place called the Verbist Care Center (VCC) in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Soko is 15 years old and Oldoh is 13 years old. Soko feels very happy she can live at the center.

She used to live underground, next to pipes that carry hot water to people’s homes. It is so cold in Mongolia that people who don’t have a home live next to the underground pipes to stay warm. Before she came to the center, Soko was badly burned when her mother accidentally spilled boiling water on her face while she was cooking.

When she is not in class, Soko loves singing. Her favorite singer is Selena Gomez. When she is older, she wants to be a make-up artist or a beautician. Soko also loves to help care for younger children at the center and always enjoys when a new child arrives.

900,000

children in some of the poorest parts of the world, receiving an education and the knowledge of God’s great love

80,000 seminarians preparing for the priesthood

Oldoh wants to be a teacher when he is older. He loves learning, especially learning about Genghis Khan and Mongolia’s history.

Oldoh now loves to play basketball.

Oldoh came to the center because his family couldn’t care for him because they were so poor. They left him outside a hospital when he was eight.

Before he came to the center, he could not walk. He had to be carried by his friends or adults. Now he can walk because he has had operations on his feet.

Father Matthew works at the center. He helps care for lots of children like Soko and Oldoh. They say he is a good man with a kind heart. The children at the center get to go to school so they can have a better future. They have healthy food and they can see a doctor when they are sick.

9,000

religious Sisters and Brothers in formation programs

All of this takes place in 1,150 mission dioceses, mostly in Africa and Asia, where the poorest of the poor receive an education and health care, while experiencing the loving heart of our Lord.

6/19/15 2:21 PM

10 WASHINGTON LETTER

THELEAVEN.COM | OCTOBER 10, 2014

Faith community tackles influence of corporate money on policy

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — Corporate influence, through money and lobbying, is a given in setting

public policy.

But faith leaders and public interest groups are wondering how much corporate influence is too much.

Organizations such as the Franciscan Action Network and Common Cause have banded together to organize around the issue. Their message: Unlimited political spending by corporations undermines democracy.

For Patrick Carolan, the network’s executive director, it’s a moral and religious issue that deserves the attention of people of faith. He told Catholic News Service that unlimited spending mutes the voices of the poor and marginalized in favor of those with the largest bankroll.

He outlined the organization’s concerns in opening a conference Oct. 1 sponsored by the Franciscan Action Network and the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies at The Catholic University of America.

“As faith leaders we care because we are all intimately connected with the troubles people face daily,” Carolan said.

“Faith leaders experience firsthand the results unlimited money in politics has on almost every issue. No matter what issue we work on, issues like immigration reform, climate change, gun safety, one of the things we’ve discovered is

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every one of those issues is connected to money one way or another.”

Through a coalition called Faithful Democracy, the Franciscan network also has worked with organizations such as Public Citizen, Common Cause and American Friends Service Committee to confront corporate spending practices in the political arena.

The grass-roots campaign stems from two U.S. Supreme Court decisions that lifted limits on campaign spending. In Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission in 2010, a 5-4 court majority held that the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting political spending by unions and corporations. In McCutcheon vs. Federal Election Commission, the court in another 5-4 decision last April struck down overall campaign spending limits to candidates, political parties and political action committees for individual donors.

Organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Americans for Prosperity have defended their political spending practices as necessary to limit growing government, reduce taxes and promote free-market economics.

The issue of growing corporate power and influence has reached as far as the Vatican. Pope Francis has said that the ideology of money has become a new golden calf. He has challenged people to find ways to use political power, influence and financial resources to aid poor people.

Auburn Theological Seminary in New York published a theological critique of the role of money in American

politics called: “Losing Faith in Our Democracy,” written by Rabbi Justus Baird, the school’s dean. It concluded that a “multiplicity of voices,” particularly that of poor people, is needed to preserve democracy.

Rabbi Baird drew from Catholic social teaching and traditional Jewish teaching from the Old Testament in explaining the critique’s conclusions at the Catholic University conference. He encouraged participants to find religious language to frame arguments to “move people to connect the dots” signifying corporate spending.

“Not only is the voice of the poor being silenced, but the voice of everyone except a really, really small slice of America is being silenced,” he said. “If you take away the voice of the people, you are taking away the voice of God.” Stephen Schneck, director of the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies, told CNS the common good is threatened when political debates and policymaking is dominated by a few voices who are able to shape outcomes to their liking and to the detriment of society.

“For us Catholics, politics is supposed to be about promotion of the common good, so we engage the citizens in political life for the common good of the whole community. There’s no way to think about money but to recognize that money is directly counter to that. It’s about the representation of special interest in politics. It’s about private interest, not the common good,” Schneck said during a conference break.

The conference also addressed several strategies underway to reduce corporate influence. The 50 attendees heard discussions about a pending constitutional amendment that would remove the personhood designation of corporations stemming from the Citizens United case to regular preaching on the issue.

The constitutional amendment has been introduced in both the Senate and the House as Joint Resolution 119.

It needs a two-thirds majority in both chambers to pass. Congressional observers rate prospects for passage in both chambers as slim.

Despite the uphill battle, representatives of the public interest groups said that a groundswell of support for the amendment could sway Congress to approve it. The amendment would then have to be ratified by 38 state legislatures before it would become part of the Constitution.

Eli McCarthy, director for justice and peace at the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, said that progress on the issues he has worked on — gun violence, immigration reform, Middle East peace, restorative justice for prison inmates — seemed to be stymied by corporate money.

“It’s about connecting the dots,” he said, echoing Rabbi Baird. “It raised the question for me about including the voices for the poor and making sure we don’t put a Band-Aid on something without really getting to the structural dilemma of the poor being marginalized in so many ways.”

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WORLD 11

OCTOBER 10, 2014 | THELEAVEN.COM

Vatican summit says extremists must be stopped

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Extremist groups in the Middle East, including the Islamic State, must be stopped with sanctioned military force and through dialogue, said a Vatican statement.

“One cannot be silent, nor [can] the international community remain inactive, in the face of the massacre of persons,” said the statement issued Oct. 4 at the end of a three-day Vatican summit on the plight of Christians in the Middle East.

“The participants at the meeting reaffirmed that it is licit to stop the unjust aggressor, always in accordance with international law,” it said.

Pope Francis convened the Vatican summit Oct. 2-4 because of his growing concern and desire to do something about the dramatic situation Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities are facing in the region.

Those called to the summit included the seven Vatican nuncios based in Syria, Jordan-Iraq, Egypt, IsraelPalestinian territories, Iran, Lebanon and Turkey, as well as top officials from the Vatican Secretariat of State, the Vatican’s permanent representatives at the United Nations in New York and Geneva, as well as from Vatican offices dealing with issues concerning refugees, charitable aid and Eastern churches.

A Vatican communique marking the end of the talks said, “The activity of some extremist groups is a cause of grave concern, particularly the socalled ‘Islamic State,’ whose violence cannot be met with indifference.”

In the face of “the massacre of per-

CNS PHOTO/REUTERS

Islamic State fighters stand guard at a checkpoint in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in this June 11 file photo. The United Nations reported Oct. 2 that the Islamic State has committed a “staggering array” of human rights abuses and “acts of violence of an increasingly sectarian nature” in Iraq, causing many in Mosul to flee. sons merely because of their religion or ethnicity, in the face of decapitations and crucifixions of human beings in public squares, in the face of the exodus of thousands of persons and the destruction of places of worship,” the world cannot remain indifferent and something must be done, it said.

While the summit participants supported an internationally sanctioned armed response to stop an unjust aggressor, they said that “the resolution of the problem cannot be entrusted solely to a military response.”

“The problem must be dealt with more radically by addressing the root causes which are exploited by fundamentalist ideology,” it said.

Muslim, Christian and other reli-

gious leaders need to do more, cooperating to promote dialogue and mutual understanding as well as clearly denouncing the exploitation of religion to justify violence, it said.

Christians who have been forced “in a brutal manner” to flee from their homes must be guaranteed “the right to return in conditions of adequate security” as well as be free to work and build a future in the land where they and their ancestors have lived for more than 2,000 years.

“One cannot resign oneself to conceiving of the Middle East without Christians,” it said. Christians have been a critical part of society and “they play a fundamental role of peacemaking, reconciliation and development.”

Vatican plans to expand abuse panel

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — A papal commission on child protection will be expanding its nine-member panel to include more experts and another survivor of clerical abuse.

The Commission for the Protection of Minors, which Pope Francis established last December, is now awaiting the pope’s approval of members’ latest efforts as they aim to lay out a pastoral approach to helping victims and prevent future abuse.

Marie Collins, a commission member and survivor of clerical abuse, told the Associated Press Oct. 6 that the specially appointed group has agreed on its provisional statutes and finalized a list of potential new members, adding experts from other countries and disciplines as well as including another survivor.

Currently the commission includes: U.S. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, head of the commission; U.S. Father Robert W. Oliver, commission secretary; Collins and six, mostly European, experts in mental health, civil and church law, and moral theology.

The group, which had its third meeting Oct. 4-5 at the Vatican, is awaiting the pope’s final approval of their proposals.

The pope, who has called for zero tolerance and complete accountability for the “despicable” crime of abuse, has said he wants the commission to help the church develop better policies and procedures for protecting minors.

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Collins also told the AP that the commission has created working groups that will focus on priestly formation, accountability and reaching out to survivors.

Getting input from survivors is “essential” for an appropriate, effective and compassionate response to the crisis, said Mark Vincent Healy, one of six abuse survivors who met Pope Francis at the Vatican in July.

“Engaging directly with survivors and having them lead on developing a resolution to the crisis is the way forward,” he told Catholic News Service.

While the papal commission is focusing on building best practices in prevention, there is a lot left to do in reaching out to and helping the countless numbers of men, women and children who have been abused by clergy, he said by telephone from Ireland Oct. 3.

Most services available for abuse victims “are not good and survivors are suffering twice for their abuse — as a child and as an adult needing help,” he said.

If the abuse crisis had been “a car crash,” the church and the world would be rallying around its survivors as well as launching a search-and-rescue operation looking for possible victims gone unseen, Healy has said.

Instead, it is “the survivors who are rattling the gates, saying, ‘listen to us,’” he said.

Healy said he would like to see “safe spaces” be provided where survivors, especially those who are still hiding their abuse, can go for support.

They can be online, toll-free hotlines

or in-person services, but they all “have to be survivor-led” in order to help vulnerable people feel safe and understood, he said.

To make a space feel safe, the victim needs to find five things, he said: A space that is non-threatening, so those who are afraid to take the first step won’t be intimidated; non-confrontational, so those who do make contact are greeted warmly and made to feel welcomed; non-judgmental, so once a dialogue begins, there isn’t additional stress or guilt; completely confidential, so privacy can be guaranteed; and caring, so that the therapy and support offered respect the person’s dignity and promote real justice.

However, he said, confidentiality can be misused if it becomes “a cloak for secrecy.” Making abuse victims sign non-disclosure clauses in their case settlements, for example, is denying people their “fundamental human right of freedom of expression.”

“There should be no restrictions on their ability to tell their story,” especially when speaking out is so instrumental to the healing process, he said.

While improved training of church personnel, better procedures for dealing with allegations, stricter penalties and enforcement are all key parts of tackling abuse, he said, the church still will not be safer unless there is a change in culture.

“The attitude has to be, ‘you have suffered enough.’” Offer victims the justice they never had, the dignity that was taken from them and the compassion, “the love they never received,” he said.

Pope tells bishops at family synod to speak fearlessly VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis opened the first working session of an extraordinary Synod of Bishops Oct. 6, urging participants to speak fearlessly and listen humbly during two weeks of discussion of the “pastoral challenges of the family.” Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest then outlined some of the major challenges the bishops would discuss, including such controversial topics as cohabitation, divorce, birth control and the impact of social and economic pressures.

“Let nobody say: ‘I can’t say this; they’ll think such-and-such about me,’” Pope Francis told more than 180 bishops and more than 60 other synod participants.

“Everyone needs to say what one feels duty-bound in the Lord to say: without respect for human considerations, without fear. And, at the same time, one must listen with humility and welcome with an open heart what the brothers say.”

The pope recalled that, after a gathering of the world’s cardinals in February, one cardinal told him others had hesitated to speak out for fear of disagreeing with the pope. “This is no good, this is not synodality,” the pope said.

‘Pro-life mom’ honored for ethical vaccines campaign ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — Debi Vinnedge of Largo, a self-proclaimed “pro-life mom,” received the “Evangelium Vitae” award for outstanding service to the pro-life movement during the Catholic Medical Association’s 83rd annual education conference. Vinnedge is founder and executive director of the nonprofit Children of God for Life, which is considered a world leader in the campaign for ethical vaccines and medicines that do not use cell lines derived from aborted human fetuses. Her organization also leads consumer campaigns against corporations that fund research that utilizes any human tissue or cell lines derived from embryos or use such cell lines in their products. In an interview with Catholic News Service, Vinnedge said she was upset when she learned about embryonic stem-cell research back in 1999, and reading about that issue led her to discover that some vaccines were being produced from cell lines derived from aborted fetuses.

Knowing her children had had such vaccines, she said, “I made a promise to God that I would do everything I could” to stop the development of such vaccines.

Father Groeschel, beloved author and preacher, dies TOTOWA, N.J. (CNS) — Father Benedict J. Groeschel, who was a founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a leading pro-life figure and popular author, retreat master and preacher, died Oct. 3 at St. Joseph’s Home for the elderly in Totowa after a long illness. He was 81. “We are deeply saddened by the death of Father Benedict. He was an example to us all,” said Father John Paul Ouellette, who is also a Franciscan friar and the order’s community servant.

“His fidelity and service to the church and commitment to our Franciscan way of life will have a tremendous impact for generations to come,” he said in a statement released Oct. 4 by the order’s community office in the Bronx, New York. A funeral Mass will be celebrated for Father Groeschel Oct. 10 at Newark’s cathedral basilica, followed by burial at Most Blessed Sacrament Friary in Newark. The burial will be private. “The Catholic Church and the Franciscan family lost a giant today,” said an Oct. 3 statement issued by Father Groeschel’s community.

6/19/15 2:21 PM

12 CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Receptionist - Emergency Assistance Center, Wyandotte County. Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is looking for a receptionist for its Wyandotte County Emergency Assistance office. This person will successfully promote and support the mission of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas by providing clerical duties and support, greeting clients and donors, coordinating volunteers, managing Emergency Assistance reception area and phones, coordinating special projects and assisting with administrative duties as assigned. Bilingual English/Spanish required. EEO. To view a complete job description and apply, please visit the website at: www.catholiccharitiesks.org.

Choir director and organist - The Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas, is seeking an organist to direct and accompany an established adult SATB choir for Sunday Mass, special archdiocesan Masses and weekly rehearsals on a 3-manual/25-rank Moeller pipe organ. Knowledge of Catholic liturgy required. See job description from employment tab online at: www.cathedralkck.org. Send letter of interest, resume and references by email to: mtraffis @cathedralkck.org.

Sales professionals - We respect your many years of experience; we value and need your wisdom. We only ask if you are “coachable”? If so, Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas has openings for sales trainees in our Johnson, Shawnee and Wyandotte County area cemeteries. An excellent earning of $40K to $50K+ in commission is legitimate income potential for the first year. Training allowance your first 30 days, then draw + commission with bonus opportunities. Med, life, dental, optical, prescription, 401(k) plans, etc., are some of the many perks our employees receive. Excellent opportunities for women and men interested in sales career and in helping people. Advancement opportunities are available for hard-working and focused individuals. Must be willing to work some evenings and weekends when our client families are available to see us in their homes. Once you learn our formula for success, your schedule is determined by you. Please email your resume and contact information to: rcarr@cathcemks.org or fax to (913) 353-1413.

Financial representatives - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Kansas City metro, Topeka, and Garnett - Greeley area. Ideal for a determined, high energy, high expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-than-average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. Please contact John A. Mahon, general agent, for more information or an interview by sending an email to: john.mahon@kofc.org, by phone at (785) 4088806 or at 1275 Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612.

Housecleaner - Immediate need for experienced housecleaner, approximately 2 days per week. Must be capable of physically demanding work in large home. Full range of cleaning duties, including ongoing deep cleaning and some laundry. Must be very experienced and meticulous. Local references required. All equipment and supplies provided by homeowner. Flexible hours and days. Leawood location. Call the Murphy residence at (913) 696-1034.

Seeking employment - Looking for a job as project or technical support or administrative assistant with reporting skills. Expert in Excel, Word, WordPerfect, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint. Data reporting, analysis, technical writing, project planning, T-SQL, SQL Server, Crystal Reports. Type 83 words per minute. Much more! Please call (913) 230-6822.

SERVICES Got a PC virus? Error messages?

Affordable, quick, reliable IT Service. Call, text, or email.

Matt Karlin (816) 876-6619 mattcomputerfix@gmail.com. Sacred Heart Parish House and office cleaning - Honest, reliable; reasonable rates. Johnson and surrounding counties. Parishioner of Good Shepherd Church. References available. Call (913) 544-6982.

For QuickBooks Help Call Ann Evans (913) 406-9778 Member of Curé of Ars Parish Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates. JoCo and south KC metro. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.

Masonry work - Quality new or repair work. Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second-generation bricklayer. Member of St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 829-4336.

Center Stage P hotography

THELEAVEN.COM | OCTOBER 10, 2014 Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload, and in-home moving. No job too small. Serving JoCo since 1987. St. Joseph, Shawnee, parishioner. Call Mike at (913) 927-4347 or send an email to: mike@mikehammer moving.com.

Helping Hand Handy Man - Home maintenance chores available by the hour. Special rate for senior and singleparent households. Electrical, painting, wood refinishing, deck repair, yard work, shelving and organizing. Most home problems and needs solved. Member of Prince of Peace, Olathe. Call Mark Coleman at (913) 526-4490.

Cleaning lady - Reasonable rates; references provided. Call (913) 940-2959.

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

CLUTTER GETTING YOU DOWN? Organize, fix, assemble, install! “Kevin Of All Trades” your professional organizer and “HONEY-DO-LIST” specialist. Call today for a free consultation at (913) 271-5055. Insured. References. Visit our website at: www.KOATINDUSTRIES.com.

Housecleaning - Old-fashioned cleaning, hand mop- ping, etc. A thorough and consistent job every time. References from customers I’ve served for over 17 years. Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006 (home) or (816) 801-0901 (mobile). Serving the 913 area code area.

Quilted Memories - Your Kansas City Longarm Shop Nolting Longarm Machines, quilting supplies and machine quilting services. We specialize in memorial quilts - Custom designed memory quilts from your T-shirt collections, photos, baby clothes, college memorabilia, etc., neckties etc.

For information or to schedule a free consultation, call (913) 649-2704. Visit the website at: www.quiltedmemoriesllc. com.

Junkyard Dawg garage, yard and debris cleanup.

Call Josh for an estimate for cleaning and hauling away at (913) 314-0171 and let’s get ’er done!

Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr.com; or visit the website at: www.teresakiddlawyer.com. We moved! Come check out our new office in Lenexa.

Garage door and opener sales and service - 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service on all types of doors. Replace broken springs, cables, hinges, rollers, gate openers, entry and patio doors, and more. Over 32 years of experience. Call (913) 227-4902.

Agua Fina Irrigation and Landscape The one-stop location for your project!

Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

Cleanup and grading services It’s time to repair your lawn. 20% discount on lawn renovations with mention of this ad.

Visit the website at: www.goaguafina.com Call (913) 530-7260 or (913) 530-5661 Tim the Handyman - Small jobs, faucets, garbage disposals, toilets, ceiling fans, light fixtures, painting, wall ceiling repair, wood rot, siding, decks, doors, windows, and gutter cleaning. Call (913) 526-1844.

Tree service - Pruning trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees.

Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional.

Cristofer Estrada, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 378-5872. www.GreenSolutionsKC.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT House painting Interior and exterior; wall paper removal.

Power washing, fences, decks.

30 years experience. References. Reasonable rates.

Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

DRC Construction We’ll get the job done right the first time.

Windows - Doors - Decks – Siding Repair or replace, we will work with you to solve your problems. Choose us for any window, door, siding or deck project and you’ll be glad you did.

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!!

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376

DeLeon Furniture

Furniture, upholstering and restoration 1142 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, Kan. 66102 (913) 342-9446

NELSON CREATIONS L.L.C. Home remodeling, design/build, kitchens, baths, all interior and exterior work. Family owned and operated; over 25 years experience. Licensed and insured; commercial and residential. Kirk and Diane Nelson.

(913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel! Johnson County area. Call for a free quote. (913) 709-8401.

The Drywall Doctor, Inc. - A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean! Lead-certified and insured! Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655.

Swalms Organizing and Downsizing Service - Reducing Clutter - Enjoy an Organized Home! Basement, garage, attic, shop, storage rooms - any room organized!

Belongings sorted, boxed and labeled, items hauled or taken for recycling, trash bagged. For before and after photos, visit: www.swalmsorganizing.com. Over 20 years of organizing experience; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115.

Heating and cooling repair and replacement - Call Joe with JB Design and Service. Licensed and insured with 20 years experience. Member of Divine Mercy Parish.

Call Joe at (913) 915-6887.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured. (913) 599-7998 Local handyman and lawn care - Mowing, painting, wood rot, power washing, staining, gutter cleaning, Honey-Do List, HVAC and windows. FREE estimates. Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 491-5837 or (913) 5791835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Home improvements - Thank you to all my customers for being patient as I underwent a life-saving liver transplant. If there is new work or warranty work, please don’t hesitate to call. We do windows, siding, doors, decks, exterior painting and wood rot. There is no job too big or too small. Call Joshua Doherty at (913) 709-7230.

CAREGIVING Looking for high quality home care? - Whether you’re looking to introduce care for your family or simply looking to improve your current home care quality, we can help. Our unique approach to home care has earned us a 99% client satisfaction rating among the 1,000-plus families we have assisted. We are family-owned, with offices in Lenexa and Lawrence. Call Benefits of Home Senior Care, Lenexa: (913) 422-1591 or Lawrence: (785) 727-1816 or www.benefitsofhome.com.

CALL THE “GO GO GIRLS” - Maybe you aren’t driving as much or at all; we can help. If you need to GO to the doctor, dentist, hairdresser, barber shop, grocery store, etc., let us know. If you don’t want to GO yourself, we can run your errands for you. We will GO to your home, if you need someone to sit with a loved one, while you get away. We can even be of assistance with kids. Give us a call if they are sick and can’t stay alone or need a ride home from school. Contact us at (913) 469-6211 or (816) 807-0564 to discuss your needs. Johnson County area only.

TOUCH OF HEAVEN

Catholic Store 119 SE 18th Topeka, KS (785) 232-2543 Hrs. T-F - 10 a.m. 5:30; Sat. 9 a.m. to noon

Want to help someone heal from an abortion? www.centerstagephotos.net 913.271.0703

The Leaven 10-10-14.indd 12

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

Caregiver - Nursing/companion. I can provide the medical care and household management experience. Live-in considered. Nights or weekends, hourly. 30 years experience.

Call (913) 579-5276.

Caregiving - Superior personalized care. This ad is to all the families that have loved ones in hospice care and are at home. I feel your pain. I am here to help. I am a retired nurse now holding a CNA license. I can come and stay for as many hours as you need me. If you are using an agency, I could apply at the agency so they could absorb most of my salary.

You just have to refer me to the agency. Stop and call now at (913) 384-2119. Excellent current references.

Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities.

We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Debbie or Gary.

WANTED TO BUY Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid.

Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

ANTIQUES WANTED - I buy older wrist- and pocket watches, silverware, antique toy banks, crock jugs, postcards and photographs, Babe Ruth autographs, pharmaceutical drug store soda fountain and military items. Call (913) 642-8269 or (913) 593-7507.

Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, lighters, fountain pens, post card collections, paintings/prints, pottery, sterling, china dinnerware.

Renee Maderak, (913) 631-7179.

St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee

VACATION Branson getaway - Walk-in condo on Pointe Royale Golf Course. Sleeps 6. Close to lakes and entertainment. Fully furnished. Pool and hot tub available. No cleaning fee.

Nightly and weekly rates. Discounts available. Call (913) 515-3044.

FOR SALE For sale - At Resurrection Cemetery, two easements in mausoleum. Today’s selling price is $12,000; offering this space for $9,000. Contact A. Kelly at (913) 649-9691.

For sale - At Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Queen of Heaven section. Lot 50, section D, spaces 3 and 4. Today’s price is $1,840 per grave. Please make an offer. Call (913) 638-8119.

Max’s rosaries - Custom-made locally for all occasions – first Communion, confirmation, baptism, graduation. Rosary bracelets and beaded earrings too! I also do repairs.

Member of the Church of the Ascension, Overland Park. Call (913) 400-3236.

Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment. Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood. Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 327-5557.

REAL ESTATE Wanted to buy: I NEED HOUSES! I buy them as is, with no repairs. You can even leave behind what you don’t want. We buy houses that need foundation or roof repair. All sales are cash with no strings attached. Please call Mark Edmondson at (913) 980-4905. Holy Trinity Parish member.

For sale - 4 - 8 acres. Ranchette. 3 BR, 1.5 BA, 2-car garage, beautiful country living. St. Paul, Kansas. $130,000. Call Burchwood Real Estate now! (620) 724-8627 or (620) 2380202. Jerry Church, broker.

MISCELLANEOUS Our Lady of Hope. Catholics with an Anglican and Methodist heritage. Formal and friendly. Visitors welcome. Mass Saturdays at 4 p.m., St. Therese Little Flower, 5814 Euclid, Kansas City, Mo. Fulfills Sunday obligation. Father Ernie Davis. Dr. Bruce Prince-Joseph, organist. For more information, send an email to: frernie3@gmail.com or call (816) 729-6776.

Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co.

Specializing in Foundation Repairs Mud-jacking and Waterproofing.

Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas.

Topeka (785) 233-3447 Lawrence (785) 749-1696 In business since 1963 www.foundationrepairks.com

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CALENDAR 13

OCTOBER 10, 2014 | THELEAVEN.COM

October

nation. Games will be from 5 - 8 p.m., and the auction will begin at 8 p.m.

The Curé of Ars Singles will host their annual harvest moon dance on Oct. 11 from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria at 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The cost to attend is $15 at the door, which includes meat hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, beer, soda, and bottled water. Lighted parking is behind the school. For more information, call (913) 631-6873.

St. Mary Church, Purcell, 446 Hwy. 137 (Lancaster), will host a pancake luncheon on Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The cost to attend is a freewill donation.

11

St. Francis Xavier Church, 214 E. Juniatta, Burlington, will host a public rosary rally and procession at 10 a.m. on Oct. 11. The rally will begin at Veteran’s Park in downtown Burlington. The rosary rally will be followed by a procession to St. Francis Xavier Church for Benediction. For more information, visit the website at: www. anf.org.

In celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park, will host a special time of prayer at noon on Oct. 11. A rosary procession will be concluded with consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Benediction.

Sacred Heart - St. Casimir Parish, 1405 2nd Ave., Leavenworth, will host its annual fall fest from noon - 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 12. A turkey and ham dinner will be served along with entertainment, a silent auction, white elephant, country store, games, and the chance to win a high energy efficiency heating and cooling system.

12

Sacred Heart Parish, 1100 West St., Tonganoxie, will host its annual turkey dinner and bazaar on Oct. 12. Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Carryouts will be available until 2:30 p.m. The cost to attend is: $9 for adults; $5 for children ages 3 - 12; and free for children age 2 and under. There will also be a country store, bingo, raffles and children’s games.

St. Bede Church, Kelly, will host its annual soup supper on Oct. 12 from 4 - 7 p.m.

There will be a country store, and an auction of homemade quilts and many other items. The cost to attend is a freewill do-

“Coping With Life Alone” is a grief support program that meets once a week for seven weeks. The program helps those who have lost a love relationship — due to death, divorce or separation — move through the experience of grief and loss into a hopeful future. The next program will be meeting on Sundays, Oct. 12 to Nov. 23, from 1:30 - 4 p.m. at Good Shepherd Parish, 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee. Preregistration is needed to prepare materials. The cost to attend is $40. For more information or to register, call Cathy at (816) 540-4644 or visit the website at: www.beginningexperience.org.

St. Aloysius Church, Meriden, will host its annual parish bazaar and turkey dinner on Oct. 12 from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The cost to attend is: $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 5 - 12; and free for children ages 4 and under. Carryout meals will be available. There will also be children’s games, bingo, a silent auction, a country store, raffles, a beer garden, an ice cream stand, and more. Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. prior to the events. For more information, contact the St. Aloysius parish office at (785) 484-3312.

View some of the most historic documents in the world, including a page from one of the first finished copies of the Gutenberg Bible from 1455, a copy of the Magna Carta from 1576, a handwritten manuscript of the works of Thomas Aquinas from 1475, the first public printing of the Emancipation Proclamation from The New York Times in 1862, and much more at Ferrell Academic Center on the campus of Benedictine College, 1020 N. 2nd St., Atchison.

Open Oct. 13 - 19. Hours are Mon. - Fri., 4 8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. There is no cost.

13

14

Sacred Heart Parish, 1100 West St., Tonganoxie, will have pumpkins in all shapes and sizes in Oc-

tober. All proceeds will go toward sending students to the National Catholic Youth Conference in 2015. Have your photo taken, hear a spooky story, color some fun pictures, get your face painted, or pet the animals (on the weekends). Hours of operation are Tues. – Sun. from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Closed on Mondays. For more information or directions, call Bill and Tamara Behm at (913) 369-8697 or visit the website at: www.shcct.com.

The 22nd annual pro-life forum and essay contest for 8th-grade Catholic school students will be held from 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. on Oct. 15 at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood. For more information or to register, call Courtney Williams at (913) 568-5453 or send an email to: scj4x@aol.com; or call Ron Kelsey at (913) 647-0350. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

15

The Christian Widow and Widowers Organization will host a hot dog dinner at 5 p.m. on Oct. 16 in the Formation Room at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, 17th and Stone, Topeka. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call (785) 2720055.

16

The Leavenworth Road Association will host a chili dinner fundraiser with music and dancing on Oct. 17 from 6:30 - 11 p.m. at FOP Hall, 7844 Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, Kansas. The cost for advance tickets is: $12 for adults; $20 for a couple; and $6 for kids under the age of 12. The cost at the door is $15 for adults; $25 for a couple.

For advance tickets, call (913) 788-3988 or (913) 220-8266.

17

Father Francis X. Clooney, SJ, will be the distinguished speaker for the 2014 Arjun Kumar Sharma Memorial Lecture at 7 p.m. on Oct. 17 at Regnier Hall, KU Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira, Overland Park. Father Francis is Parkman professor of divinity and professor of comparative theology at Harvard Divinity School and director of Harvard’s Center for the Study of World Religions. Father Francis will also speak on Oct. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Vedanta Society, 8701 Ward Parkway, Kan-

sas City, Missouri. He will continue his talk in greater depth on “Reading and Writing as Spiritual Practices.” There is no cost to attend.

The Ladies Guild of St. Joseph Parish, 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, will host its 37th annual gift and craft bazaar on Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in McDevitt Hall. There will be more than 50 tables of gifts and crafts to choose from, featuring items ranging from jewelry to antiques to home decor.

A continental breakfast, lunch, and afternoon refreshments will be provided by the St. Joseph Garden Club. For more information, call Hettie Ann Leary at (913) 972-1786.

18

Queen of the Holy Rosary, Wea, will host its annual bazaar and chicken dinner on Oct. 19 from noon - 4 p.m. A fried chicken dinner will be served. The cost to attend is: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 3 - 12; and $30 for 2 adults and 3 or more children. There will also be bingo, a raffle, and vendor and craft booths.

19

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann invites single men 16 and over to Project Andrew, an evening of prayer, inspiring priests, learning about discernment, and a dinner. Parents may attend and will have a special session with a time for questions.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required online at: www.kckvocations. com or send an email to: vocation@archkck.org. Attend either session on Oct. 19 at Sacred Heart Parish, 21801 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, or Oct. 26 at Christ the King Parish, 5972 S.W. 25th St., Topeka. Both sessions are from 4 - 7 p.m.

The 22nd annual pro-life forum and essay contest for 8th-grade public and home-schooled students will be held after 5 p.m. Mass on Oct. 19 at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park. For more information or to register, call Courtney Williams at (913) 568-5453 or send an email to: scj4x@aol.com; or call Ron Kelsey at (913) 647-0350. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

Concrete Work

Any type of repair and new work Driveways, Walks, Patios Member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

Join Us as We Celebrate 150 Years of Carmel in America Chanticleer

Anniversary Concert St. Joseph Church 306 N. Broadway Leavenworth, KS Friday, October 24, 2014, 7:30 PM

John Allen, Jr.

Communion Breakfast & Presentation “The Church in a Changing World: Carmel’s New Frontier” June’s Northland Restaurant 6th & Pottawatomie, Leavenworth, KS Saturday, October 25, 2014, 9:00 AM Ticket Information Chanticleer Concert Ticket: $40 John Allen Breakfast Ticket: $30 Combined Chanticleer & John Allen Ticket: $60 You may purchase tickets on-line at www.Carmel150.org; or at the Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Parish Office, 747 Osage St., Leavenworth, KS 66048, phone (913)682-3953

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14 COMMENTARY SCRIPTURE READINGS

THELEAVEN.COM | OCTOBER 10, 2014

MARK MY WORDS

TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Oct. 12 TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 25: 6-10a Ps 23: 1-6 Phil 4: 12-14, 19-20 Mt 22: 1-14 Oct. 13 Monday Gal 4: 22-24, 26-27, 31 – 5: 1 Ps 113: 1b-5a, 6-7 Lk 11: 29-32 Oct. 14 Callistus I, pope, martyr Gal 5: 1-6 Ps 119: 41, 43-45, 47-48 Lk 11: 37-41 Oct. 15 Teresa of Jesus, virgin, doctor of the church Gal 5: 18-25 Ps 1: 1-4, 6 Lk 11: 42-46 Oct. 16 Hedwig, religious; Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin Eph 1: 1-10 Ps 98: 1-6 Lk 11: 47-54 Oct. 17 Ignatius of Antioch, bishop, martyr Eph 1: 11-14 Ps 33: 1-2, 4-5, 12-13 Lk 12: 1-7 Oct. 18 LUKE, EVANGELIST 2 Tm 4: 10-17b Ps 145: 10-13, 17-18 Lk 10: 1-9

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S

Food — a matter or waste or waist?

ome folks worry about zombies taking over the world one day. Me? I think we’ll be done in by tater tots.

I kid you not. The Sept.

23 Business insert of The Kansas City Star featured a story on food waste in the United States. According to Jack Chappelle, a solid waste consultant from Kansas City, Kansas, there’s one thing he sees tons of in landfills.

“You can get a lot of tater tots out of schools,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s elementary, middle or high school. Tater tots. Bar none.”

Some estimates say that as much as 40 percent of the food produced in the United States — $165 billion worth — goes uneaten each year.

Chappelle says that rural areas have more peelings and more vegetables; urban areas, a lot more fast-food containers with half-eaten food inside and a lot more pizza boxes.

That’s one kind of alarming waste regarding food.

While I certainly deal with that in my life, there’s also another kind I’m battling: food “waist.”

There’s a haunting story told about Raynald III, a 14th-century duke in what is now Belgium. Being grossly overweight earned him the Latin nickname Crassus,

FATHER MARK GOLDASICH Father Mark Goldasich is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989. meaning “fat.”

His younger brother Edward revolted against Raynald’s rule. Instead of killing him, however, Edward built a room around Raynald in Nieuwkerk castle and promised him he could regain his title and property when he left the room. This wouldn’t have been difficult for most people, since the room had several windows and a door of near-normal size, none of which was locked or barred.

The problem was Raynald’s size; to regain his freedom, he needed to lose weight.

Edward knew his older brother well. Each day, he sent a variety of delicious foods into the room. Instead of dieting his way out of the prison, Raynald grew larger.

It’s said that Raynald stayed in that room for 10 years and wasn’t released until Edward was killed in battle. By then,

his health was so ruined that he died within a year — a prisoner of his own appetite.

(Adapted from “1001 Illustrations That Connect,” by Craig Brian Larson and Phyllis Ten Elshof, general editors.)

It seems that a lot of us are imprisoned by food — whether we eat too much, worry about where our next meal will come from, or simply take an abundance of food for granted. That’s why we need World Food Day, celebrated on Oct. 16.

It’s a time to “heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.” With some 803 million people living in “food insecure” areas, we cannot not do something about this.

When I was growing up, there was a small grocery store on my block and two others — one on a block to the north and one on the block to the south. Today, this area of Kansas City, Kansas, is considered a food desert, meaning there are no grocery stores in the immediate area where people can buy good, quality, healthy food. If you have transportation, that’s not a huge problem, as you can drive to a store. However, for the poor, elderly or ill, this lack of nearby food can be catastrophic.

As we mark this Respect Life Month, it seems appropriate to pay attention to how we look at food. In our homes, do we treat food as a commodity or a gift? Are we conscientious about praying before and after meals or do we just gobble down our food without thought or gratitude?

Do we routinely waste food or overeat? Do we pay attention to what kinds of food we consume? Do we share meals at least occasionally as a family?

I recently saw a poster that said: “One cannot think well, love well, or sleep well if one has not dined well.”

Let’s see how we can help those near to us — as well as those far away — dine well, not just for a day, but for a lifetime. Make a point, especially during October, to donate food and nonperishables to Catholic Charities food pantries or to your local pantry. Additionally, study ways to eliminate hunger throughout the world. A good place to start is with a monetary donation to Catholic Relief Service or membership in an organization like Bread for the World.

Treat food — even those tater tots — as the tremendous blessing that it is . . . and stop letting it go to waste or waist.

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IN THE BEGINNING

Just as our doors must remain open, so should our hearts

I

have always liked the prayer of St. Brigid of Kildare, which begins, “I wish I had a great lake of ale for the King of Kings, and the family of heaven to drink it through time eternal. I wish I had the meats of belief and genuine piety, the flails of penance, and the men of heaven in my house. I would like keeves of peace to be at their disposal, vessels of charity for distribution, caves of mercy for their company, and cheerfulness to be in their drinking.”

The prayer envisions heaven as one big party, which goes on and on, forever. It echoes the prophecy, which we hear in Sunday’s first reading, Is 25:6-10a: “On this mountain the Lord

POPE FRANCIS

FATHER MIKE STUBBS Father Mike Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University. of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.”

Notice, the prophecy specifies that God provides the feast for all peoples.

The invitation is not limited to just a chosen few. It is issued to everyone.

People need to open their hearts to the many people who are forced to migrate as they face enormous difficulties and sometimes tragedy, Pope Francis said. “I pray for closed hearts that they may open. And everything I have available to me, is available to you,” he told a group of young Eritreans who survived a deadly shipwreck off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa.

The Leaven 10-10-14.indd 14

In his ministry on earth, Jesus anticipated God’s spirit of hospitality by his own openness to those around him. He welcomed tax collectors and prostitutes, those shunned by the rest of society as sinners. His willingness to eat and meet with them scandalized some people because it violated current norms. On the other hand, Jesus saw his actions as preparing for that future feast in heaven.

In imitation of Jesus’ example, Pope Francis has invited us to engage in a similar spirit of hospitality. That is why he writes these words in “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”): “The church is called to be the house of the Father,

The pope met with 20 survivors and their family members at the Vatican Oct. 1, just a few days shy of the anniversary of the Oct. 3, 2013, disaster. More than 360 people were killed after a boat, reportedly carrying more than 500 migrants from northern Africa, capsized and sank near Lampedusa, Italy’s southernmost island.

Some 155 people survived. Pope Francis sent a representative to the island a few days after the disaster to distribute aid and convey the pope’s

with doors always wide open. One concrete sign of such openness is that our church doors should always be open, so that if someone moved by the Spirit, comes there looking for God, he or she will not find a closed door. There are other doors that should not be closed either. Everyone can share in some way in the life of the church; everyone can be part of the community, nor should the doors of the sacraments be closed for simply any reason” (47).

If the doors of our communities are to open to those on the outside, that means that our hearts must remain open. That attitude of spirit will prepare us, and the world, for the kingdom of God.

prayers and concerns. The pope had visited the island in early July after seeing newspaper headlines in June describing the drowning of immigrants at sea. At the Oct. 1 gathering in a Vatican meeting hall, one of the survivors told the pope that many are still traumatized and many families don’t know where their dead loved ones have been buried after their bodies were recovered.

— CNS

6/19/15 2:21 PM

COMMENTARY 15

OCTOBER 10, 2014 | THELEAVEN.COM

DO UNTO OTHERS

T

Church needs both wings in order to fly

here is a joke that’s no longer

funny.

The joke goes that Catholic social teaching is the church’s best kept secret.

Most Catholics have not heard of Catholic social teaching, which is the church’s response to the problems of modern life.

The few that have, often regard it as a liberal elective for those social justice Catholics who like singing “Kumbaya.” It is tragic that Catholics, and hence the world, do not seem to know that Christ has instructions for making the world a better place. The secret that

BILL SCHOLL Bill Scholl is the archdiocesan consultant for social justice. You can email him at: socialjustice@archkck.org. shouldn’t be a secret is kept for two reasons: unreported success and bad branding.

In 1891, when Pope Leo XIII wrote the first social encyclical, “Rerum Novarum,” he transformed the papacy into the Earth’s foremost champion of human rights.

How many other world leaders can go anywhere

and gather millions to hear a speech?

Indeed, popes start global-transforming conversations that world leaders are reluctant to address.

Before Leo, hardly anyone was speaking of a living wage or rights of laborers to have time off. If you’re middle class and enjoy having a two-day weekend, you should thank Catholic social teaching. We as church are not very good self-promoters, and so fail to share the positive impact that Catholic social teaching has had on the world.

Secondly, Catholic social teaching has a branding problem. People think of it as only liberal, and both liberal and conservative Catholics are to blame. Liberal Catho-

lics distort it by proof-texting encyclicals to support their ideology while ignoring other crucial moral teachings. Conservative Catholics see that kind of social justice and are rightfully wary. But they do the church a disservice by not participating in the Catholic social teaching conversation, or laying claim to social justice when they do speak.

If you are a pro-life Catholic, you are a social justice Catholic. God has made some of us to have a liberal outlook and some to have a conservative one. That’s because we need to have different perspectives to have discussion and discover the blind spots of each.

God has made his church to have a left and right wing so that together it may fly.

Too many conservatives have been too silent in the social justice conversation.

So is it any wonder our social advocacy flies leftward?

Let’s break the silence on this best kept “secret.”

Would your parish group like to learn more about Christ’s call to do justice with church guidance?

The office for social justice, with the help of some great deacons and Catholic Charities staff, has developed some fun, minds-on/handson learning workshops to help Catholics learn and apply Catholic social teaching.

Call (913) 647-0317 or send an email to me at: social justice@archkck.org and we’ll work to set one up that works for your parish needs.

CALLED TO DISCIPLESHIP

F

We are all called to be missionary disciples

or years, I have known that I am called to become a saint.

It’s my vocation. Of course, it’s not just my vocation. Becoming a saint is the universal vocation. It has been emphasized over and over that we are all made to become saints — to live with God now and forever in heaven. Sainthood is not meant for a few, it is meant for the many. If someone asked me today what my goal in life is, the best answer I can think of is, “To be a saint!”

Becoming a saint sounds

FATHER ANDREW STROBL Father Andrew Strobl is the archdiocesan director of evangelization.

really good, but what does it look like? If saints are the ones that the church has declared are in heaven, what does it take to get to heaven?

Jesus was asked that very question by a scholar of the

law and gave a clear answer.

“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live” (Lk 10:25-28).

Saints are the ones who loved God and their neighbors. We cannot truly do one without the other. We cannot simply be disciples concerned only with love of God, or missionaries concerned only with love of

neighbor. We must be both.

Pope Francis calls this being a “missionary disciple.”

Becoming a saint looks like being a missionary disciple.

Missionary discipleship is not meant for a few, it is meant for the many.

Pope Francis explains in “Evangelii Gaudium”: “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf.

Mt 28:19). All the baptized, whatever their position in the church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization, and it would be insufficient to envisage a plan of evangelization to be carried out by professionals while the rest

of the faithful would simply be passive recipients. The new evangelization calls for personal involvement on the part of each of the baptized.

Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelization; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love.

“Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are ‘disciples’ and ‘missionaries,’ but rather that we are always ‘missionary disciples’” (120).

AS THE CHURCH PRAYS

Liturgy consultant tackles contentious topic of Mass attire

I

have put off writing this column long enough.

It’s a no-win subject, for there are lots of decent arguments offered from various sides: “When at Mass, we are to be at our very best . . .”

“But Jesus accepts us just as we are . . .”

“You wouldn’t dress like that if you were going to visit the Queen of England . . .”

“Just be thankful they are at Mass . . .”

And, indeed, all four arguments are good ones in response to the never-ending controversy of how folks

The Leaven 10-10-14.indd 15

MICHAEL PODREBARAC Michael Podrebarac is the archdiocesan consultant for the liturgy office should dress when they go to Mass.

It is an important issue in our day. And I am supposed to be the liturgical consultant for the archdiocese.

And there has to be some answer we all can at least respect.

And so, using the four

example arguments given above, here goes.

1. We should all be very grateful when we see other people at Mass. Even the most positive survey results indicate that only one-third of Catholics in the United States attend Mass every Sunday. However they are dressed, they are in fact present, and this should make us thankful for the “communion of the Holy Spirit” we share with them.

Right?

2. Surely, few would dress as casually to meet the Queen of England as many do when attending Mass, where we are actually not only meeting, but sharing a living encounter with, the King of Kings and Lord of

Lords. Correct?

3. Jesus loves us unconditionally, accepting us wherever we are. But the remarkable thing about Jesus is that he never wishes to leave us where he first found us, but asks us to draw more deeply from both him and ourselves. Mothers also love their children unconditionally. But would we ever presume to neglect the respect we owe them simply because they will always love us?

4. If we truly understand what the Mass is, we know that it demands our very best. One’s best is, by nature and circumstance, a rather individual thing and should be discerned by each of us, thoughtfully, conscientiously,

and prayerfully. Sloppy or suggestive is certainly not our best. But neither is angry and self-righteous. Agreed?

So, when it comes to how we dress for Mass, none of us should ever wish to cause our neighbor to stumble.

None of us needs any additional distractions. None of us should despise another’s presence. None of us can outdo the honor of receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.

None of us will ever be good enough. None of us should ever stop trying to do our very best. None of us can honestly claim to both love God and despise neighbor.

None of us should ever lower our standards . . . or lose our patience.

6/19/15 2:21 PM

16 LOCAL NEWS

THELEAVEN.COM | OCTOBER 10, 2014

FEELING ROYAL

Priests feel the excitement of the Royals magical playoff run

By Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Father Shawn Tunink would like to issue a apology to anyone he woke up at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, D.C., in the early morning hours of Oct. 1. He just couldn’t contain himself after the Kansas City Royals won their first playoff game in 29 years — a thrilling 9-8 comefrom-behind win against the Oakland Athletics that ended just after 1 a.m. on the East Coast.

“Winning the wild card game was an amazing roller coaster. I was texting friends back home and in despair when the Royfell AMERICAN LEAGUE als behind,” CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES said Fat h e r VS Shawn.

“I went Game 1 - Fri., Oct. 10 from deRoyals @ Orioles 7:07 p.m. pression to me Game 2 - Sat., Oct. 11 screamRoyals @ Orioles 3:07 p.m. ing all by myself in Game 3 - Mon., Oct. 13 the monOrioles @ Royals TBD a s t e r y, hoping I Game 4 - Tues., Oct. 14 wouldn’t Orioles @ Royals TBD w a k e anyone Game 5 - Wed., Oct. 15 Orioles @ Royals TBD up.”

Father Game 6 - Fri., Oct. 17 Shawn, Royals @ Orioles TBD who is studyGame 7 - Sat., Oct. 18 ing canRoyals @ Orioles TBD on law at The Catholic University of America in Washington was a mere third-grader at Lansing Elementary School when the Royals won their last playoff game — Game 7 of the World Series back in 1985.

“I was too young to fully understand the significance of the Royals win back then. It seemed like it was normal that the Royals would go to the playoffs. They were always in a postseason chase,” said Father Shawn. “This is a lot different, living 29 years of my life having never been to the playoffs.”

Father Shawn didn’t have to wait another 29 years for another Royals postseason win. After taking out the A’s, the Royals quickly dispatched the Los Angeles Angels in three games to advance to the American League Championship Series against the Baltimore Orioles.

On the day the playoffs began, Father Shawn went to the Miraculous Medal Chapel in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington and said a prayer for the Royals.

“I thought the Royals might need a miracle,” said Father Shawn. ”And there has been one miracle after another,” he added.

For Father Scott Wallisch, archdiocesan vocations director, the 1985 Royals win wasn’t a happy time. The native of Hazelwood, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis was — and continues to be — a huge Cardinals fan. But since he’s been

The Leaven 10-10-14.indd 16

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG

Despite being a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan, Father Scott Wallisch has also become a Royals fan in his 18 years in Kansas. He’s hoping to see a rematch of the 1985 World Series pitting the Cardinals against the Royals.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FATHER SHAWN TUNINK

On the day the playoffs began, Father Shawn Tunink went to the Miraculous Medal Chapel in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and said a prayer for the Royals. “I’m not sure if God has a favorite baseball team, but I can’t help but recall that Jesus is the King of Kings. You don’t get more ‘Royal’ than that,” he said. in Kansas for 18 years, he’s also turned into a Royals fan.

Father Scott has enjoyed the Royals’ exciting playoff run. He especially likes the type of baseball the Royals play.

“It reminds me of the way baseball was played back in the mid-1980s.

I think baseball was more fun then — when they had to manufacture runs — and it wasn’t just a matter of getting big guys up there and hitting home runs. It was working the guy around, playing good defense and putting good pitchers out there,” said Father Scott.

With his Cardinals also still alive in the playoffs at press time, Father Scott is hoping for an I-70 Series rematch. But which team would he root for?

“I would still be rooting for the Car-

dinals,” he said. “I’ve been pretty clear with people since I came to Kansas 18 years ago that I will root for the Royals as long as they’re not playing the Cardinals. If the Cardinals are not in the World Series, I will have all my energy behind the Royals, cheering them on.”

Father Mark Goldasich, Leaven editor and pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie, remembers exactly where he was when the Royals won it all in 1985.

“At the stadium. Left field. Upper deck,” said Father Mark. “It was 11-0 that night. Someone asked me that night if I wished it was a closer game.

“I said, ‘No. Eleven runs is perfect.’”

Little did he dream that that would be the Royals’ last postseason win in 29 years.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY TODD HABIGER

When Father Mark Goldasich left Royals Stadium following Game 7 of the 1985 World Series, he never dreamed that would be the Royals’ last postseason victory before this year’s run. Father Mark said he’s wearing out MLB.com watching this year’s Royals postseason highlights.

“I thought we would have a dynasty, because we were in the playoffs so many times prior to that year,” he said.

“I just thought we would be there for at least the next several years. But it’s been 29 years of bad baseball.”

For 29 years, Father Mark began the season optimistic about the Royals’ chances, only to watch the Royals wither season after season.

“I cheered for them but I kept it kind of quiet because it broke my heart every year to see these guys and watch them squander game after game. It was hard to go out there and watch them,” he said.

But this season has made him a loud and proud Royals fan again.

“It has been exciting once again, just because they have played significant baseball all through the season,” he said.

He’s also noticed a change in the Kansas City area.

“I was out at Price Chopper the other day and people were in their Royals gear. You never saw that in October. Everybody was Chiefs. It’s just good to see that. It’s really brought the city together,” he said.

Throughout the playoffs, Father Mark has been impressed by the team play of the Royals.

“They’re a good team,” said Father Mark. “There’s not just one guy out there carrying them. I’ve been amazed by [Nori] Aoki, [Lorenzo] Cain. The defense, particularly in the outfield, has been unbelievable.”

What Father Mark really likes about the 2014 version of the Royals is that they’re a team having fun.

“The highlight for me is the spirit of the team,” he said. “They are genuinely excited to be there. That’s been exciting just to see that energy.”

And he can’t wait for the series in Baltimore to begin.

“I think the Royals can take them. It’s going to be challenging. I don’t think they will sweep them. I think the Royals speed and defense will be a factor. I predict the Royals will win in six games.”

6/19/15 2:21 PM